Hi,
I've found that you don't need track data to tell the difference between
overdamping and useable settings.
The Konis on the back of my GT were set way too firm; with good road tyres
this gave surprise oversteer on bumpy surfaces, particularly in the wet.
Now, the units are set at 1/2 a turn , which gives a good compromise between
ride quality and grip.
A long time ago (in a garage far, far away), I also rebuilt a Bill Nicholson
Racing B Roadster and experienced very similar behaviour with Armstrong
adjustable lever dampers on the rear. So, I would suggest that for road use,
fine-tuning the settings to taste appears to be the valid option (Nomex
knickers duly donned).
Cheers,
Dave H
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----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Attias <cattias@cats.ucsc.edu>
To: MG Listserver <mgs@autox.team.net>; Tim Economu <economu@whidbey.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2000 6:10 PM
Subject: Re: Tube shock conversion data
> At 9:30 AM -0600 6/8/2000, Tim Economu wrote:
> >Yes I agree. Let's see track data and let's hear from the experts!!
>
> I guess the big question is, do you really want to drive on the track
> or the street? Do you autocross on the weekends? The setup--spring
> rates, ride height, horsepower, sway bar spec, aftermarket suspension
> stuff like panhard rods or antitramp bars, tires, etc.--for a given
> road condition (from smooth track to rough street) will have a lot of
> bearing on shock spec and evaluation. A setup that turns in great
> track times probably won't give you either good seat-of-the-pants
> road feel or quickness on the street. Different courses for
> different horses...
>
> IMHO, levers are probably perfectly good for street driving with a
> stock suspension, but as you re-engineer the suspension, things will
> change.
>
> When I was looking into suspension setup, I found an article about
> the rally cars Ron Gammons (Brown and Gammons,
> http://www.ukmgparts.com/) set up. His CB MGBs have won numerous
> European vintage rally events (driven by his customers, pros like
> Stirling Moss, and himself.) His cars have been set up to meet the
> requirements of vintage rallying sanctioning bodies (minimal/period
> modification) and to be dead reliable. From what I've read, he uses
> competition-valved levers, an only slightly lowered CB suspension,
> and only slightly stiffer springs and front anti-roll bars. Keeping
> the wheels on the ground over uneven road surfaces and neutral
> steering response, are key requirements.
>
> I would tend to think that for the street, seat of the pants is a
> good enough indicator of whether a modification is worthwhile.
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Chris Attias
> '64 MGB
> '84 Alfa Romeo GTV-6
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